How can spectra tell us what things are made of?

Stars and planets are too far away for a human to touch, yet we know what they are made of. Spectra make this possible! Let’s investigate how.

Earth Part 4: Transmission Spectrum

Spectrum Tool. Compare Earth's transmission spectrum with comparison spectra of different molecules.

  1. Under Source 1, select "Earth Transmission." Adjust the wavelength stretch as needed to bring the spectrum into view.
  2. Under Source 2, select the spectra for different comparison molecules.
  3. Compare absorption line features between Earth's transmission spectrum and the molecules to identify at least two matches.

Spectrum Notebook. Answer this questions in your Notebook.

  1. Identify at least two atoms or molecules in the absorption features of Earth’s transmission spectrum
Source 1:
 
Brightness
Full-intensity spectrum backgroundTransparency increases or decreases based on chart intensity, hiding or revealing the background
Left axis ticks
Spectrum intensity vs wavelength chart
Bottom axis ticks
Wavelength (microns)
Source 2:
 
Brightness
Full-intensity spectrum backgroundTransparency increases or decreases based on chart intensity, hiding or revealing the background
Left axis ticks
Spectrum intensity vs wavelength chart
Bottom axis ticks
Wavelength (microns)
part 3
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